Alexander Skarsgård is a Swedish actor. A son of actor Stellan Skarsgård, he began acting at the age of seven but quit at thirteen. After serving in the Swedish Navy, Skarsgård returned to acting and gained his first role in the US comedy film Zoolander. He played Brad Colbert in the miniseries Generation Kill and had his international breakthrough portraying vampire Eric Northman in the television series True Blood. He also played Randall Flagg in the miniseries The Stand and tech mogul Lukas Matsson in the drama series Succession, for which he was nominated for two Primetime Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe Award.
Personal Life
Birthday / Date of Birth
He was born on the 25th of August 1976, in Vällingby, Stockholm, Sweden.
| Birth Name | Alexander Johan Hjalmar Skarsgård |
| Nickname | Alex |
| Date of Birth | 25th of August 1976 |
| Place of Birth | Vällingby, Stockholm, Sweden |
| Age | 49 years old |
| Sun Sign | Virgo |
| Profession | Actor |
| Nationality | Swedish |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Religion | Christianity |
Education
He attended Marymount Manhattan College in New York City but later returned to Sweden to study at Leeds Metropolitan University. He also trained at the Teaterhögskolan i Stockholm (Stockholm Academy of Dramatic Arts).
Family Details
- Father – Stellan Skarsgård (Internationally Acclaimed Actor)
- Mother – My Skarsgård (Physician)
- Siblings – Gustaf Skarsgård, Bill Skarsgård, Sam Skarsgård, Valter Skarsgård, Eija Skarsgård
Marital Status
Single
Girlfriend / Spouse
Alexander Skarsgård has dated –
- Tuva Novotny – Skarsgård has a son, born in 2022, with Swedish actress Tuva Novotny.
Physical Statistics
| Height |
|
| Weight |
|
| Body Measurements |
|
| Body Build | Athletic |
| Eye Color | Blue |
| Hair Color | Blonde |
| Shoe Size | 12 (US) |
| Dress Size | N/A |
| Sexuality | Straight |
Professional Statistics
Famous For
Alexander is internationally famous for his breakout role as Eric Northman in HBO’s True Blood, which established him as a global television star. He earned widespread critical acclaim for his powerful performance as Perry Wright in Big Little Lies, winning a Primetime Emmy Award, Golden Globe Award, and Screen Actors Guild Award. Skarsgård is also renowned for leading physically demanding epic films such as The Legend of Tarzan and Robert Eggers’ The Northman. He further showcased his versatility with his Emmy-winning role as tech billionaire Lukas Matsson in HBO’s Succession. His career is marked by a rare balance of blockbuster success and prestige-driven performances in critically acclaimed cinema and television.
Television Debut
In 1989, Skarsgård made his television debut in television in the Swedish television production Hunden som log (The Dog That Smiled) earned him praise and brought him to prominence in Sweden.
Film Debut
In 1984, Alexander made his first film role when he was seven years old, playing Kalle Nubb in Åke and His World (Åke och hans värld).
Alexander Skarsgård Net worth
Alexander Skarsgård has an estimated net worth of $15 million dollars as of 2026.
Social Media Profiles
- Instagram – alexander_skarsgard
Some Lesser Known Facts About Alexander Skarsgård
- Skarsgård was born in Stockholm, Sweden. He is the eldest son of actor Stellan Skarsgård and physician My Skarsgård. His parents are divorced.
- A friend of his father’s, a director, gave Skarsgård his first film role when he was seven years old, playing Kalle Nubb in Åke and His World (Åke och hans värld).
- In 1989, his lead role in the Swedish television production Hunden som log (The Dog That Smiled) earned him praise and brought him to prominence in Sweden at age 13. Uncomfortable with the fame, he quit acting at that same age.
- At 19, Skarsgård applied for his national service. He served for 18 months in the Swedish Navy’s SäkJakt (“protect and hunt”) unit that dealt with anti-sabotage and anti-terrorism in the Stockholm archipelago.
- He went on to appear in the films Long Shot, Godzilla vs. Kong, Passing, The Northman, which he also produced, and Infinity Pool.
- After completing his service in 1996, he left Sweden and attended Leeds Metropolitan University in England for six months. He returned to Stockholm after six months, but his time studying theatre confirmed to him that he wanted to act.
- On his return to Sweden, Skarsgård began landing roles in film, television and theatrical productions. While vacationing in the United States, he auditioned for and obtained the part of a mindless model in the 2001 film Zoolander, his first role in an American film.
- In 2003, his performance in Hundtricket-the Movie (The Dog Trick) earned him an Guldbagge Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. He was named the Sexiest Man in Sweden five times.
- He also co-wrote and co-directed an award-winning short, To Kill A Child (2003), (To Kill a Child), which was shown at both the Tribeca and Cannes Film Festivals.
- His first big break was with the miniseries Generation Kill (2008). Alexander spent seven months broiling in the desert of Namibia but it was well worth it.
- His portrayal of Marine Sgt. Brad “Iceman” Colbert astonished critics and audiences, alike. Thanks to the writer’s strike, after completing Generation Kill (2008), he was cast in the role of “Eric Northman”, a 1,000-year-old Viking vampire on the hit series, True Blood (2008).
- In addition to True Blood (2008), which begins its third season in 2010, Alexander has a number of film projects in the works including the remake of Straw Dogs (2011), Melancholia (2011), written and directed by Lars von Trier, action Sci-Fi film, Battleship (2012), and The East (2013), directed by Zal Batmanglij.
- In 2009, Skarsgård appeared in the music video for pop singer Lady Gaga’s “Paparazzi”. He was the voice of Stefan in the 2009 animated film Metropia, directed by Tarik Saleh.
- As of 2025, he has the title role in the science-fiction comedy series Murderbot and stars as a sexually dominant biker in the British film Pillion.
- On January 31, 2026, Skarsgård is scheduled to host the 1,000th episode of Saturday Night Live with rapper Cardi B as the musical guest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Alexander Skarsgård?
is a Swedish actor, producer, and former military serviceman, widely recognized for his commanding screen presence, physical intensity, and versatility across film and television.
What is the real name of Alexander Skarsgård?
His real name is Alexander Johan Hjalmar Skarsgård.
What is the age of Alexander Skarsgård?
He is 49 years old (25th of August 1976).
What is Alexander Skarsgård Height?
The Height of Alexander is 1.94 m (6′4½”).
What is Alexander Skarsgård Weight?
The Weight of Skarsgård is 89 kg (196 lbs).
What is the Net worth of Alexander Skarsgård?
He has an estimated net worth of $15 million dollars as of 2026.
Why is Alexander Skarsgård Famous?
He best known for his roles as Eric Northman in True Blood, Perry Wright in Big Little Lies, Amleth in The Northman, Tarzan in The Legend of Tarzan, and Lukas Matsson in Succession. He is admired for portraying intense, physically demanding, and psychologically complex characters.